by Kurt Winans
He concluded by saying that all the stars were not as close together as the sand in his hand, and she gasped in amazement at what her father had just said. Her older sister Aurora then looked at Ross and said, “That was way too many stars to ever count!”, and Ross nodded in agreement as he stared deep into her eyes.
ROSS HAD THOROUGHLY enjoyed his thirty days of leave with his family, but it was time to get back to work. Jessica and Elizabeth had both joined the family for Christmas day, and the girls enjoyed seeing their aunt and grandma during a more festive event. Patty was glad to have everything seemingly back to normal, and felt good about the amount of rest that Ross had been able to get over the past few weeks. He had been reluctant to discuss the Moon mission, or Dennis, with her at great length, but she figured he just needed a little time to sort things out. Patty knew her husband well enough to know that he would eventually open up and talk to her about the accident, but didn’t want to push him on the matter.
As Ross drove through the front gate at the Johnson Space Center, the guard asked if he could shake his hand. Ross agreed to do so while taking it as a complement, but hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come. Some would undoubtedly want to congratulate him for successfully landing on the Moon, while others would offer their hand in condolence for Dennis, but either way he could be in for a long day. He knew his co-workers meant well, but Ross didn’t really want to shake hands with everyone that he ran into on his first day back at the office. There was after all a tremendous amount of work to be done by everyone, as the next scheduled space shuttle launch was now only a few weeks away.
He reported to the senior administrators just minutes after entering the building, and was informed of what was expected of him over the next several weeks. Ross would be tending to any questions the seven member crew of the upcoming orbital mission might have about launch and re-entry, while also taking part in the strategy associated with the follow-up missions to the Moon. His superiors had also determined that Ross should be one of the dignitaries in the crowd at Cape Canaveral for the upcoming launch, and he would therefore be spending a few days at the facility in Florida. Ross was still a well sought after figure in the eyes of the media, and NASA wanted to continue riding the wave of his popularity.
Once the crew of that launch was safely on its way, Ross would attend a press conference to discuss the importance of the current mission in the grand scheme of NASA’s plans. After that he would return to Houston, and his work load would be centered on plans for the upcoming missions to the Moon and the subsequent construction of a long term habitat.
NASA had scheduled a launch date for a follow-up lunar mission aboard the Discovery in a few months, and Ross knew the short turnaround would keep the technicians and engineers responsible for getting her ready in time hard pressed. While specifics of the payload in the cargo bay had yet to be finalized, one important aspect of the mission had been predetermined. The plan was to have the Discovery land on or near the same spot that Ross had set her down, because that was where all the cargo and the rover vehicle was located. The two astronauts would then add their cargo to what had been intentionally left behind from the first mission, and power up the rover. At that point they would then locate and retrieve each of the three other rover vehicles that had been left on the surface by the final three Apollo missions. Each one of the old rovers would need to be fitted with a new power source that had been significantly improved since the time of their previous use several years before, and that would be a time consuming job. Due to the great distance that would need to be covered in order to complete the task, NASA had determined that the astronauts would be doing well if they could retrieve one rover per day.
Once all the rover vehicles had been collected, work could begin on a foundation for what would become a livable habitat for future astronauts. As Ross’ knowledge of the lunar surface now exceeded that of anyone else ever associated with NASA, his input would be important in determining exactly how and where to begin the construction.
No further exploration of the far side would be scheduled for the second or third modern day missions to the Moon, because establishing the habitat was the top priority. The third mission of the Discovery, at a yet to be determined date, would carry a crew of seven whose only intended function was to use the rovers to assist in completing the structure from the mass of cargo that would be at their disposal.
A LARGE CROWD of well-wishers braved the colder than normal temperatures associated with a space shuttle launch on a clear January morning at Cape Canaveral, and Ross was among them. Many of the spectators were cloaked in jackets, hats, scarfs, gloves, and whatever they could find to beat back the cold just so they could witness another launch of one of America’s space shuttle fleet. After so many successes the act of a launch had almost become routine in many people’s view, but it was still a fascinating spectacle to admire. In the midst of a thunderous roar signifying the engines springing to life, the space shuttle Challenger began to slowly move away from the launch platform.
With all eyes of the crowd pointed skyward while tracking the path of the rocket and the attached vehicle, Ross flashed back to the exhilaration of his three separate launches. They had all been very special moments in his life, but this was the same shuttle that had taken him as a rear seat payload specialist on his first ride into space. For that reason alone this specific shuttle, the Challenger, probably meant more to him than either the Atlantis, that he had piloted, or Discovery, when he had both commanded and piloted the mission. Ross didn’t know yet if he would ever get a chance at a fourth ride on the most technologically advanced machine ever constructed by humans, but he sure wanted to.
Ross couldn’t help but feel some level of envy towards the seven astronauts on the current mission as he watched the shuttle climb into the sky, and then it happened. Ross knew from the pattern of the trailing cloud of smoke that something wasn’t quite right, but there was nothing that could be done. An instant later that unnatural pattern became even more pronounced as the main rocket and shuttle exploded into a huge fireball. For several seconds there was a collective mass of confusion within the spectating crowd, as no one knew exactly what was happening.
The explosion had occurred less than two minutes after liftoff, and trails of white smoke against the bright blue sky led away from the main circular cloud in three directions. Each of the twin rocket boosters flew randomly without any guidance, while the third source of smoke continued on the original flight path established before the explosion. That particular trail was created by what remained of the spacecraft as it lost its remaining momentum.
Within seconds the realization of the tragic event began to take hold within the thoughts of the crowd, and the screams of disbelief soon followed. Ross looked around to see that most of the spectators continued to gaze skyward, while some would ask a person standing next to them what had just happened before looking up once again. By then pieces of debris began to fall away from the distant white explosion cloud which made it resemble a fireworks burst on the 4th of July, but this was in no way a celebration of any kind.
Ross then heard some nearby people asking no one in particular if the astronauts could still be alive, but their question was greeted with silence. It soon became apparent that it was unlikely, but nobody wanted to verbalize the thought. Many of the huge camera arrays were still pointed skyward, and that could help NASA with the follow-up investigation, but some of the handheld cameras used by the news crews began to probe the crowd for suitable shots of grief. One such film clip would be that of family members who had just witnessed the death of a loved one, and how anybody could actually film that moment was beyond the comprehension of Ross.
The understandable level of confusion within the crowd continued in the following moments, but the NASA and law enforcement personnel acted quickly to reestablish a sense of order. They needed to clear the area of spectators as quickly as possible, but also needed to maintain a safe environment while doing so. Digni
taries such as family members of the astronauts and Ross were escorted to a safe haven away from the ghoulish members of the media, while others were directed towards awaiting vehicles. The members of the media however, were respectfully asked to stay in place until contacted by a NASA representative. Every frame of film footage that had been shot during the launch and short flight could be useful in helping to determine the cause of the catastrophe, so NASA wanted to take a look at all of it. As Ross took one last glance skyward at the explosive cloud that had just killed seven brave astronauts, he was struck with the harsh reality that he could have met with the same fate on any one of his three previous launches.
Understandably for many members of NASA, as well as the grieving family members and friends of the astronauts, the remainder of the day was somewhat of a blur. The first priority for Ross was to contact Patty to let her know he was safe, and that he would probably be detained for some time at the cape. She had not been watching the launch on television, and therefore was unaware of the tragic event until he informed her of it. She broke into tears as he told her what had happened, and Ross knew she was reliving his previous launches with the same realization as his thoughts of a short time ago.
Next on the agenda was to meet with some of the senior NASA administrators, and discuss their next course of action. By now everyone in the world with the means or desire to know about the tragic accident was becoming informed. Film clips of the explosion had already been circulated by the news channels, and the major networks had cut into their regular programming with the breaking news. Ross, like everyone else, was dealing with some level of shock and disbelief at what had just transpired, but he maintained his composure as best as he could before digging into what would undoubtedly be several months of investigation.
IN THE DAYS, weeks, and months that followed the Challenger disaster, the NASA investigation uncovered many flaws in the overall system. Without pointing fingers at specific individuals, a conclusion was reached that virtually all of NASA was to blame for the explosion of the space shuttle and the death of seven astronauts. Most everyone had assumed that the person next to them was so brilliant at their particular job that there was no need to double check their work. In short, NASA had become very complacent and self-convinced that their work was incapable of error. It was imperative that this mindset be changed before the space program could move forward again.
That level of self-enlightenment couldn’t have come at a worse time for NASA, as that particular mission of the Challenger was directly on the heels of the Discovery mission that had cost Dennis Strickland his life. While facing a room full of hungry media, Ross and other representatives of NASA pointed out that the two costly missions had nothing in common. Ross and Dennis had been to the Moon on a very successful mission from a technical standpoint, while the Challenger had been destroyed due to technical malfunctions. The parameters of the two missions were vastly different, and everything needed to make a moon landing successful had gone off without any problems. Dennis had lost his life due to an accident in a very unforgiving place, but it had nothing to do with equipment failure. On the other hand, the seven astronauts onboard the Challenger had lost their lives in the blink of an eye on what was to be an orbital mission that was wrought with equipment failure.
The difference between the two was clearly visible to those who could think beyond the death tally, but unfortunately for NASA, most of the general public didn’t see it that way. The ultimate truth was that a total of eight astronauts had lost their lives while on missions during a timeframe of less than three months, and a multi-billion dollar piece of equipment had been lost as well. In the midst of pressure from higher sources and the American public, NASA decided to postpone any future shuttle missions until all the apparent problems could be resolved. Their entire system of assembly and launch protocols would need to be revamped and tightly scrutinized, and it would probably be a few years until America launched another human being into space.
The ripple effect of that restructuring would prove even more costly to other aspects of NASA’s plans, as the follow-up missions to the Moon for construction of a base were placed upon the scrap heap. Ross and Dennis had become the first humans to set foot upon the Moon in almost thirteen years, and it now suddenly appeared as if that gap in time could be repeated before any Americans would attempt a landing there.
There was one unexpected bright spot for Ross during the first few months after the Challenger disaster, and it was something that would allow him to bask in a little glory. He was notified by his former high school back in Rumley of an honor that would soon be bestowed upon him. The school board had decided to rename the baseball field after him in recognition of his accomplishments, and retire his former jersey number. He was after all the first person from Rumley to receive an appointment to one of the Military Academies, which was a notable achievement in itself. To then become an astronaut that had ventured to the Moon, put Ross over the top. The entire town, with one exception, was very proud of him, and turned out in full force at the dedication ceremony. After a brief acceptance speech from a place set up behind second base, a tarp was removed from the new structure next to the scoreboard. Now rising high above the outfield fence was a sign with the name, “Ross Martin Field” over the top of a huge number “51” near the area where he used to play left field.
Patty and the girls, along with Jessica, stood to applaud with the rest of the gathered crowd. Only the few people, who were standing close enough to Ross, near second base, could see him blush. At the diner back on Main Street, a tired and grumpy old man sat alone in silence with his cup of coffee instead of attending the ceremony. He had recently retired after many years of teaching at the local elementary school, but was never able to publicly admit that he had been so wrong about his former students’ potential.
Later that day Ross and the family drove out to the old house that had been his childhood home. It had been a little over four months since Robert had died, and both Ross and Jessica had agreed it was time to sell the old place. They wanted to have one last look around before they put it on the market, and were surprised to see the old tire swing still hanging from the large oak tree in the front yard. Ross quickly decided he would take advantage of the opportunity to give both Aurora and Rachel a push for a few minutes, before Patty, and finally Jessica, each had a turn.
OVER THE NEXT several years NASA worked very hard to fix all that had gone wrong with their internal structure, and had eventually become ready for a return to space. There was a great deal of hype associated with the first scheduled flight, and the mission had been labeled and over sensationalized by the national media as the “triumphant return to space”. Sadly, much to the dismay of NASA and the general public, that space shuttle mission would end up being postponed for a few months due to potential problems that were discovered within hours of the planned launch.
Ross had done his part during those difficult years for NASA as a trainer and consultant to the next generation of astronauts, and in the process had received another promotion to the rank of Captain in the Navy. Unfortunately with each passing year of the restructuring, and to some extent the over cautiousness of NASA to launch again, it had become clear to Ross that his days in space were probably over.
After much internal debate and soul searching, Ross decided in the summer of 1992 to try something new. Those close to Ross had given him sage advice about his chances of serving in public office, so he set his sights on challenging for a Texas House of Representatives seat in the upcoming November election. There were some local issues that both he and Patty felt strongly about, and they thought it could be a good way to help bring them into public view. The contingent of astronauts and their spouses helped Ross with some of the campaigning, while Patty worked on some of the mothers whose kids went to school with either Aurora or Rachel. Word of the well-liked and respected man’s bid for the seat spread like wildfire, and the local area elected the native Texan to office.
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nbsp; The following morning Ross resigned his commission as a Captain and retired from the United States Navy with slightly over twenty years of service. It was now time to serve his country in a different capacity, as with the addition of his four years at the Naval Academy more than half of his forty-two years had been in the military.
Aurora, who would be fifteen in a few days, and Rachel, who had turned ten the previous June, stood proudly by their father’s side with Patty during the farewell party at NASA. Jessica had been able to break away from her law office for the afternoon, so she was also there to wish her big brother well. The senior NASA administrator spoke in tribute to Ross for his seventeen years, as during that time he had been on three missions into space that included the last venture to the Moon. He had also helped train other astronauts for their respective missions, and had been a calming face for NASA when asked to step in front of the cameras and field questions from the media.
Ross worked hard at his new job within the Texas legislature, and made both friends and enemies because of it. He respected the views of his contemporaries, listened for information about any topic that could help him learn more about the new system he had entered into, and tried to do right by representing his district in a fair manner. In time he felt more comfortable with the job, and found a way to sway some former opponents over to his side on certain viewpoints. Ross introduced some legislation regarding benefits for veterans and people with physical disabilities into session, and then began to work on funding for educational goals within the state. At the completion of his two-year term, Ross was elected to a second term by a margin that exceeded his first. He continued to work hard, and was gaining support from those in his party.